Eddie Jones rugby news LIVE: England coach set to be sacked with Steve Borthwick lined up
England have left it too late to sack Eddie Jones before World Cup, says South Africa’s Handre Pollard
Handre Pollard believes England have left it too late to sack Eddie Jones after recalling it took Rassie Erasmus over a year to transform South Africa into World Cup winners.
Jones’ position is in doubt following a disastrous autumn that produced only one win in four Tests, completing England’s worst year since 2008, and a decision on the head coach’s future is due from the Rugby Football Union next month.
The RFU must decide whether to stay loyal to Jones despite results or to replace him knowing the World Cup opener against Argentina is just nine Tests and 10 months away.
South Africa were in a similarly precarious position when Erasmus took over in March 2018 yet by the end of the following year he had turned them into global champions.
Erasmus’ Springboks revival is frequently held up as an example of how a nation can be successful at a World Cup even with a late change of coach but Pollard, their fly-half general, insists the revolution did not happen overnight.
England have left it too late to sack Jones before World Cup, says Pollard
A decision on the head coach’s future is due from the Rugby Football Union next month.
Matt Giteau claims sacking Eddie Jones would be a ‘big mistake'
The sentiment isn’t all universally anti-Jones.
Former Australia international Matt Giteau believes England will be making a “big mistake” if they get rid of his countryman, claiming it would be the “silliest thing they could do.”
Eddie Jones hits back at ‘sad’ Sir Clive Woodward over England criticism
Eddie Jones has hit back at “sad” critic Sir Clive Woodward and insisted he will leave England in a good shape when he eventually departs.
Jones is under pressure after he watched England produce a dismal autumn to complete the nation’s worst year since 2008 and the Rugby Football Union is now conducting a review, which will inevitably decide if Jones continues until next year’s World Cup as planned or leaves his post 12 months earlier.
RFU chief Bill Sweeney admitted “results are not where we expect them to be” and Woodward, who masterminded England’s solitary World Cup win 19 years ago, was fierce in his criticism of Jones following the autumn-concluding loss to South Africa – labelling rugby in this country as a shambles and insisting the weekend defeat was “one of the most depressing games I’ve seen at HQ.”
“I feel sad for him (Woodward). If that is the best thing he has to do in his life, then he hasn’t a lot to do,” Jones told Men’s Health UK.
“I’m 62 now and I think in pure coaching terms I am coaching better than I ever have. Results aren’t always perfect, but I’m happy with how I have been coaching.
“After this, I want to do something really meaningful. I’ve enjoyed England a lot, it was a bit of a rescue job at the start, now rebuilding, and I am confident I will leave things in good shape.”
Jones may have already learned his fate
It is understood that Eddie Jones was apparently called to Twickenham to find out his fate at 9.30am this morning, so the Australian may already know whether his tenure is at an end or not.
The Rugby Football Union’s review of a dismal set of autumn internationals – where England’s only victory came again Japan – is understood to have concluded on Monday, with the RFU board now ready to ratify its decision.
The 62-year-old Australian is set to be sacked after seven years in charge despite there only being 10 months until the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Wayne Pivac sacked as Wales turn to Warren Gatland
Wayne Pivac has been sacked as head coach of Wales, who turn to Warren Gatland in a sensational return for the New Zealander less than a year before the 2023 World Cup.
Pivac’s time with Wales comes to an end after just three wins in 2022, including damaging defeats to both Italy and Georgia at home.
And now Gatland is back on a long-term deal to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
“This is an opportunity to achieve something with a talented group of players in a country so passionate about rugby,” Gatland said, in a statement released by the WRU. “Our immediate priority is obviously the 2023 Guinness Six Nations and next year’s Rugby World Cup.”
Wayne Pivac sacked as Wales turn to Warren Gatland
The New Zealander was in charge between 2007-2019 and returns ahead of next year’s World Cup
Who could replace Jones? – Scott Robertson
The other name that has been intermittently linked to the England job is Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson – coach of New Zealand side, the Crusaders.
He has had a remarkable run of success with the Crusaders since taking charge a little over five years ago – leading them to Super Rugby glory in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 as well as Super Rugby Aotearoa titles (when the Covid pandemic limited travel) in 2020 and 2021.
The Kiwi is seen as a future All Blacks coach if he doesn’t get the England role and has some international experience after coaching New Zealand Under-20s to victory at the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Italy, while he also took charge of the BArbarians during their games this autumn.
Interestingly, ‘Razor’ is also known for his post-match breakdancing celebrations, certainly something you could never accuse Jones of doing…
Who could replace Jones? – Warren Gatland
Warren Gatland had been linked with the role amid England’s poor form but he has stunningly returned to Wales, following the departure of Wayne Pivac on Monday.
The New Zealander signed a contract until 2027 to return to the job where he spent 12 years in charge, delivered four Six Nations titles and three grand slams. He will now look to revitalise Welsh rugby as head coach on a long-term deal rather than taking over at arch-rivals England.
The 59-year-old Gatland, who was director of rugby at Super Rugby side Chiefs before being bought out of his contract by the WRU, also coached the British & Irish Lions on three tours.
Warren Gatland is returning to his old role as Wales coach
Who could replace Jones? – Steve Borthwick
The favourite to take over from Jones, should he be sacked, is Steve Borthwick – with just 10 months until the World Cup.
The 43-year-old Cumbrian skippered England during a 57-cap international career and was appointed Leicester Tigers boss in 202. He has overseen a startling transformation in the Tigers’ fortunes, highlighted by a Gallagher Premiership title triumph last season.
Before that, Borthwick served as England’s forwards coach under Jones for five years from 2015. Now the former No 2 could be stepping up to the top job.
It is not known whether Borthwick will keep Jones’s team of coaching assistants – including Richard Cockerill, Matt Proudfoot and Martin Gleeson – or bring in his own lieutenants, with the likes of Kevin Sinfield (defence), Aled Walters (strength and conditioning) and player-coach Richard Wigglesworth (attack) all highly regarded at Leicester.
Borthwick is the favourite to take over from Jones
Eddie Jones – latest
The Rugby Football Union’s review of a dismal autumn is understood to have concluded on Monday, with the RFU board now ready to ratify its decision.
That will be followed by a public announcement revealing whether the 62-year-old Australian will continue until the World Cup, which takes place in September-October, after which his reign – which began in 2015 – is contracted to end.
The review panel has regularly presented to the board during its investigation into what went wrong during an autumn that opened with defeat by Argentina, produced a solitary victory over Japan and a draw with New Zealand, and signed off with an abject collapse against the Springboks.
With the World Cup in France looming, England have left it late to potentially change their coach, yet the RFU may feel it has no alternative but to act.
Eddie Jones: England coach waits to learn fate amid reports he will be sacked
Eddie Jones looks set to discover on Tuesday whether he will continue in his role as England head coach, with speculation mounting that he will be sacked after presiding over the national team’s worst year since 2008.
Jones is fighting for his future after presiding over a disappointing 2023, consisting of six defeats, a draw and five wins – and ending with a comprehensive loss to South Africa on 26 November.
The Rugby Football Union’s review of a dismal Autumn Nations Series is understood to have concluded, with the RFU board now ready to ratify its decision.
That will be followed by a public announcement revealing whether the 62-year-old Australian will continue until the World Cup, which takes place in September-October, after which his reign – which began in 2015 – is contracted to end.
If he does not remain in the role, then the RFU will need to appoint a successor, with Leicester head coach and former England forwards specialist Steve Borthwick the front-runner.
Eddie Jones waits to learn fate amid reports England coach will be sacked
The Australian has been in charge of England since 2015 and has this year overseen the side’s worst period since 2008
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Register for free to continue reading
Registration is a free and easy way to support our truly independent journalism
By registering, you will also enjoy limited access to Premium articles, exclusive newsletters, commenting, and virtual events with our leading journalists
{{#verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}} {{^verifyErrors}} {{message}} {{/verifyErrors}}
By clicking ‘Create my account’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Already have an account? sign in
By clicking ‘Register’ you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use, Cookie policy and Privacy notice.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy policy and Terms of service apply.
Source: Read Full Article